10 Longest Anime Films Of All Time, Ranked By Runtime

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How long a movie is can really make or break it, and anime films are no different. If a film is too short, it might feel rushed and not fully develop its story. Too long, and it can feel drawn-out and boring. Ultimately, though, good writing is what determines if the runtime works.

How long an anime movie is always depends on the story it tells. But, like any film, many anime movies are great because they take the time they need to tell that story well. This is especially true for the longest anime films ever made – it’s hard to believe any of them could have been shorter without losing something important.

10) Be Forever Yamato (1980)

Academy Productions’ Be Forever Yamato is the fourth movie in the classic Space Battleship Yamato series. After the events of the third film, Earth is forced to surrender to the Black Nebula Empire when threatened with a devastating bomb. It’s then up to the crew of the Yamato to journey to the Black Nebula and figure out how to disable it.

The Space Battleship Yamato films are often quite long, and Be Forever Yamato is no exception. In fact, it’s the tenth-longest anime film, clocking in at 148 minutes. While Be Forever Yamato: Rebel 3199 provides a shorter, updated version of the story, it doesn’t quite capture everything that makes the original so special.

9) Great Conquest: The Romance Of The Three Kingdoms Part 2: The Yangtze River Burns! (1993)

Released in 1993, Great Conquest: The Romance of the Three Kingdoms Part 2: The Yangtze River Burns! is the second installment in Toei Animation’s adaptation of the classic story, Romance of the Three Kingdoms. After Lu Bu is defeated, Liu Bei and Cao Cao begin to fight for control of China. To help him win, Liu Bei seeks out the talented strategist Zhuge Liang.

The three films in Toei Animation’s Great Conquest series are all quite long, and The Yangtze River Burns! is no exception – it’s the ninth-longest anime film, clocking in at 149 minutes. The Great Conquest trilogy is a well-known adaptation of the classic story Romance of the Three Kingdoms, and its extended length is a key feature.

8) Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha: The Movie 2nd A’s (2015)

Seven Arcs’ Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha: The Movie 2nd A’s is the second film in the Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha movie series. Like the first film, A’s summarizes the events of the anime’s second season into one movie, focusing primarily on Hayate and the Wolkenritter and streamlining the story with some changes to the original plot.

The first Nanoha movie was quite lengthy, and Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha: The Movie 2nd A’s continues that trend, clocking in at 150 minutes – making it one of the longest anime films ever made. However, with a mix of familiar and new story elements, the movie justifies its length and offers something for both longtime fans and newcomers to enjoy.

7) Farewell To Space Battleship Yamato (1978)

Academy Productions’ Farewell to Space Battleship Yamato is a direct sequel to the classic anime Space Battleship Yamato. Three years after winning the war against the Gamilas, Earth is starting to rebuild. However, a new threat – the powerful White Comet Empire – emerges, and the crew of the Yamato must reunite for one final mission to protect the planet.

Originally meant to be the last installment in the Space Battleship Yamato series, the film Farewell to Space Battleship Yamato was created as a grand finale. It ended up being a very long anime movie, clocking in at 151 minutes, making it one of the seventh-longest of all time. Although the story was later expanded with new installments, the film remains a significant accomplishment.

6) Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Part 1 (2025)

I watched the first part of Ufotable’s Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle trilogy premiere in 2025. It picks up right after season four ended, with the Demon Slayer Corps desperately trying to reach Muzan and defeat him. But they’re facing a huge challenge: Muzan’s strongest remaining followers are blocking their path. This first installment focuses on a brutal fight to the death between Tanjiro, Giyu, and one of the most powerful demons, Akaza, who’s ranked as Upper-Rank 3.

Everyone expected the Infinity Castle trilogy to be long, and the first film, Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle (released in 2025), proves that – it’s one of the longest anime movies at 155 minutes. Luckily, the film earns its length with compelling storytelling and impressive animation, and fans hope the upcoming sequels will be just as good.

5) Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon A Time

Studio Khara’s Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time concludes the Rebuild of Evangelion series. After Kaworu’s death, Shinji is deeply troubled, but he must find the strength to finally stop the Human Instrumentality Project and resolve his issues with Gendo.

The final Evangelion film, Thrice Upon a Time, is quite lengthy – clocking in at 155 minutes, it’s one of the longest anime movies ever made. While it might not completely close the book on Evangelion, it provides a satisfying and excellent conclusion to the series.

4) Great Conquest: The Romance Of The Three Kingdoms Part 3: The Distant Land (1994)

Released in 1994, Great Conquest: The Romance Of The Three Kingdoms Part 3: The Distant Land concludes the Great Conquest film series. After the Battle of Chibi, China fractured into three separate kingdoms led by Liu Bei, Cao Cao, and Sun Quan. Soon, one of these leaders will attempt to reunite the country.

From the beginning, the Great Conquest series was known for being quite long, and the final installment, The Distant Land, continues that trend at a running time of 157 minutes – making it one of the longest anime films ever made. The Distant Land cemented Great Conquest‘s place as a beloved and memorable adaptation of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, and it’s clear why fans still appreciate it so much.

3) The Disappearance Of Haruhi Suzumiya (2010)

In the 2010 story The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya, Kyon’s normal life is turned upside down. He wakes up to find the SOS Brigade vanished and Haruhi seemingly erased from existence. Confused by this new reality, Kyon must quickly figure out what happened before he loses all hope of returning to the way things were.

At 162 minutes long, The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya is one of the longest anime films ever made. Despite its length, the film’s exceptional writing and animation make it well worth watching and have cemented the series as a classic from Kyoto Animation.

2) Final Yamato (1983)

West Cape Corporation’s Final Yamato is the fifth film in the Space Battleship Yamato series. In this installment, the crew of the Yamato faces a new threat: the Dinguil, a race of warriors who plan to flood the Earth using the water planet Aquarius. This sets the stage for what will be the crew’s most challenging battle to save humanity.

With a runtime of 163 minutes, Final Yamato is the longest Space Battleship Yamato movie and, for over three decades, held the record as the longest anime film ever made. Though intended as a conclusive ending to the series – a plan that didn’t stick – it remains a thrilling and visually impressive finale.

1) In This Corner (And Other Corners) Of The World (2019)

MAPPA’s film, In This Corner (and Other Corners) of the World, tells the story of Suzu, a quiet young woman who moves to Kure to marry Shusaku. As she adjusts to married life and the start of World War II, Suzu faces many difficulties, but continues to find joy in everyday moments.

In 2019, a longer version of In This Corner of the World was released, adding more to the story. This expanded cut, titled In This Corner (and Other Corners) of the World, became the longest animated film ever made, clocking in at 168 minutes. It took the title from Final Yamato, which had held the record for over 30 years.

The first version of In This Corner of the World lacked important background details, so it’s understandable that MAPPA created a longer anime film to fully realize the story’s potential and make it as impactful as it should be.

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2025-11-10 18:45